Telephone system.



.H: i..jHARRIS.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM. I APPLICAHON FILED DEC. 12, 1913.

W r ms: .igiml kmwdo 1N VEN TOR.

WITNESSES:

w X YZE HIS Patented Aug. 31', 1915. i

HARVEY L. HARRIS, or ELYRIA, oHIo, ASSIGNOR 'ro THE cmnronn MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ELYRIA, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF 01-110,.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM..

art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to telephone systems and I have illustrated the same in connection with a manual system, though, I contemplate anyuse for which itmay be employed.

My invention relates more particularly to -connecting apparatus which may associate lines of diflerent character or which may be used with lines of diiferent character. For

example,=where common "battery and mag neto-lines enter the same exchange, in systems of the character to. wh1ch my invention "relates, means are provided to connect .a

apparatus from the line, while in magneto lines the same or difierent means may be employed for this purpose.

One of ,the objects of my invention is to control this cut-.ofi apparatus over a talking conductor or a portion of a talking conductor, thereby greatly simplifying the telephone system and it's operation.

Another object of my invention is to accomplls h'the above-named objects in connection with whatisknown in the art as a twostrand commonbattery line circuit.

v Other objects of my invention and the invention itself will be probably better underst ed firoma description of a particular embodimcnt'of my invention, which is illustrated-in'the drawing. r

Figure 1 illustrates diagrammatically an embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 shows a modification of a line apparatus which may be employed in substitution-for theline a paratu ssho wn at C in Fig. 1,.for example.

;Referring now to the drawing and to'the particular embodiment illustrated therein,

at' AaI show telephone lineapparatus, atlB a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug; 31,1915.

I Application filed December 12, 1913. Serial No. 806,144.

main station and at .0 second telephone line' apparatus. As .will be seen'the line apparatuses A and G are of diiferent character.

Any number of these lines may be employed in the system and they'may be of various length and the apparatus constitutingthe same may be of various kinds. The line here illustrated at G is what is commonly known as a magneto line. It extends from a substation at D through the conductors 1 and 2 to the main station at B, where it terminates in a switch element, here illustrated ,as a jack including contacts 3, 4 and 5. The

substation equipment employed at D is well known and will be well understood by'those skilledinth art from the, diagrammatic representation. The line signal is shown at 6 and positioned so that the operatoncan know its actuation. In the form shown this signal is controlled by contacts 3 and 7,

though I may employ any suitable arrange ment for controlling the signal by the operator.

- In the form illustrated I have shown at A what is known as a *common battery line, This line leads from substation: equipment at E through the conductors 8and '9 to the switch element, suchras a jack whic "may employ contacts 10, 11 and 12. Line signaling mechanism is likewise employedby the line A and is here illustrated as a line lam main station B, where it terminate iiva 13 and a line relay 14 controlling the same. The line is provided with suitable means for" disassociating the line signaling apparatus from the line, here illustrated as a? 'cuf-otl' relay 15. It will be noted that the contact 5 1 cooperate with the switch elements of the telephone lines. These elements are illustrated in the drawings as plugs P and P,

which may be. inserted into the jacks for the purpose of completing the connection .between the line and the cord circuit. :The

tratedas a tip, 16,,aring-contactl? and sleeve-contact 18. The plug-P is, likewise provided -with a tip-contact 1 9, a 'ring-con tact 20 and a sleeve-contact 21.; Inthe'tform :plug P- includes contacts which are here-'illusshown, the cord circuit is provided with a talking strand 22, which extends from plug to plug of. the .cord and with a second strand 210 which extends from plug to plug of the cord. I

A plurality of paths for the talking current are provided through the cord, one of which includes the conductors 2 3, 28 and and the other includes the conductors 26, at and 27.

A plurality of supervisory signals is pro vided at one or both ends of the cord circuit. The use of these signals depends upon the character of the line with which the cord isassociated. For example, the supervisory lamp 29 is employed when the plug I is inserted into a jack'J of a common battery line, whereas the drop 30 is employed when such plug is associated with a jack of a magneto line. I provide suitable means for selecting the talking path and the supervisory signal 'to be employed. In the form shown I use a relay 31 for making both selections. "SllCl'i selection is controlled by the character of the line with which the plug I is associated. In the form shown this is accomplished by varying the electrical condition of some part of the line orits switching element For example, means may be provided for creating anelectrical potential upon the contact 12 of the jack J different from the electrical potential upon the contact 5 of the jack J, so that when the plug is inserted, this difference in potential will control the relay 31. I

The invention, its purposes and uses will probably be better understood from a description of the operation of the particular embodiment illustrated.

Suppose that a subscriber upon the line A initiates a call, closing the talking bridge of his apparatus, which will complete a circuit 4 through the line relay 1%: This attracts its armature a0, closingia switch 40 ll and completinga circuit through the lamp 13 which is actuated in' the presence of the op orator, whois thus apprised of the desire oi the subscriber at IC. The operator connects the cord with the line by inserting the plug P into'the jackJ, completinga circuit from ground 42 through relay 1:), conductor 43, contact 12, contact 21, relay 31, conductor 44*, battery 45 to ground at 46. The relaylfi will be operated, attracting its armatures 47 and 48, interrupting the connection of the line signaling apparatus of tlie line A With the line and retiring the lamp 13. The relay 31 will also be energized, attracting the armatures 50, the armature 5O disconnects the section 28 ofthe talking strand 22 from the section 23 and connects the section 28 through tllize,

switch 53 54 to these'ction 26 and the co tact 21 of the plug, interrupting the connection of thedrop withithe talking strandshowever, had been a magneto line, no

51 and The. attraction of 80 of the relay 56. Owing to the fact that the magnet 56 .is energized over the following circuit ground 6l."fi agnet 56contacts 52 conductor 6321-19109- talking set .at ES{L866122126 314.-l45ground 46, the switch 60-68 will be opened and the lamp 29 will not be operated, However, when the subscriber retires the substation set this circuit of the magnet 56 will be interrupted and the switch 68-60 will be closed. The lamp 29 will be lighted, giving the supervisory signal, which 'in this instance will be a disconnect signal; The contact 12 of jack J is'connected to grounded pole of battery through the conductor 43 and ground 42. Owing to this arrangement the magnet 31 will be operated when the plug P is inserted into the jack of a common battery line. If thecalling sine, uch connection to the magneto line jackwould exist, the contact5 of the line C not being connected to the grounded pole of battery so as to create a circuit for the magnet 31 Theoperation of the magnet 31 is thus controlled by the character of the line with which the plug P is associated. In the form v shown the control is exercised by the amount of current flowing through said magnet and i as here illustrated, this amount will be zero when the plug I is connected with the jack of a magneto line;

If the plug P is connected to the jack of a magneto line, the magnet 31 will not be energized and the talking circuit will include the entire talking strand 22, while the' drop signal 30 will be bridged across the line. through the switch 52-55.'

The operation of the Tight-hand end of the cord circuit associated with the plug I will be clear from the description of the op- 'eration just given, except that when the ringing springs are operated, the generator will be connected to the subscribers line through the grounded branch 60 including the battery 61 when the plug P is inserted into the jack of a common battery line, the battery 61 being employed to furnish current to hold up the cut-off relay. IV hen con-' nected to a magneto line, theringing circuit is completed through a switch 7071.

I In Fig. 2 I have illustrated analternate' form of line apparatus which is here illustrated on a magneto line. In this arrangement'the contact 5 is connected to ground. The character of the branchlOl is such as to exercise control over the relay 310. In the form shown, the resistance of this branch is v relay 310 so as to cause it to attract its armatures. in the form shown this branch includes a cut-off relay 100 and the resistance of'the branch may be varied by placing therein a resistance device 102.

'lVhcn the subscriber at the substation X calls in, the drop 103' will be operated. lVhen the plug is inserted into the jack J a circuit will be completed from ground at l04'through 102--1001015the contact 18 of the plug P-conductor 27relay 310 battery l5 to ground 46. The flow of current will be suiiicient to actuate the cut-off relay 100, attracting its armatures 110 and 111 and cutting off the device 103 from the line, but the flow of current through this circuit will not be sufiicient, owing to the resistance 102, to operate the relay 310. As "will readily be understood the contacts 12 and 5 will both be connected normally through ground to the battery 45, so that a potential will be created upon each. This potential will be different, however, owing to the resistance device 102.

It will be understood that I do not intend to be limited to any particular form of apparatus for varying this potential or to a resistance device separate'from the relay, as the same purpose may be accomplished in one way by simply making the Winding of the relay 100 greater thanthat of the relay l5.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that either end of the cord circuit may be arranged for connection with a lineof either character or the other, or to be employed constantly With a line of one char acter. It Will be apparent that other forms of signals and cut-oft apparatus may be employed, as well as other forms of ,apparatus to vary the strength or polarity of the current flowing through the relay 31. In .fact, numerous and extensive departures may be made from the form and details of the embodiment here illustrated. I have illustrated this embodiment not With the intention of being limited to the details thereof, but for the purpose of illustrating my invention.

I claim:

1.. In a telephone system, the combination of a main station, a plurality of telephone lines of diverse character leading to the main station, substation equipment on said lines, line signaling mechanism at the main station associated With the telephone lines, cut-oil apparatus for the line signaling mechanism of lines of certain character, connecting apparatus for connecting the lines together including talking strands, said cut ofl' apparatus being controlled over a talking strand of'the connecting apparatus, a plurahty of'supervisory signals associated With the connecting apparatus and means controijled by the character of the line appsratus to which the connecting apparatus is associated for selecting said supervisory signals.

2. In a telephone system, the combination lines of diverse character leading to the main station, substation equipment on the line, signaling mechanism associated with the lines, cut-oft relays for interrupting the of a main station, a plurality of substation 7o association of the line signaling mechanism with lines of a certain character, connecting apparatus at themain station for connecting the lines together, switching mechanism for connecting the connecting apparatus to the telephone lines, a plurality of super isory signals associated with each switching apparatus, said cut-oil relays being controlled over a talking strand of the connecting apparatus and means governed by the character of the line apparatus employed to connect the connecting apparatus to a sub: scribers line for selecting the supervisory signals.

3. In a telephone, system, the combination of a main station, a plurality of subscribers lines leading to the main station and terminating in jacks of diverse character at the main station, a cord circuit at the main station for connecting the lines together terminating in plugs'to beassociated With the jacks of the lines, cut-off relays provided for certain of the telephone lines, circuits for said relays including a talking strand of the cord circuit 1 controlled by said plugs and jacks,-a plurality-of paths for the voice currents through the cord and means controlled by the character of the'line apparatus with of the common battery line, line signaling apparatus for each line, a cut-ofi' relay for the common battery line, a cord circuit including a plurality of paths for voice currents, said cord circuit terminating in plugs adapted to be inserted into the jacks, said cut-ofl' relay being controlled and operated over a talkingx'ptrand of the cord circuit and means contr ed by the character of the jack into Which the plug is inserted for selecting said talking paths. I

5. In a telephone system, the'combination of .a main station, a common battery line leading to the main station and terminating in a jack thereat, line signaling apparatus for the common battery line and a cut-off relay controlling said line signaling apparatus, a magnetov line leading to the main station and terminating'in a thereat an electrical potential upon one of the con different in character from the jack of the ack thereat, substation equipment on the common battery. line, substation equipment telephone line, a second telephone line leadon each line, a cord circuit at the main station for connecting the lines together including a plurality of paths for talking current, a circuit over which the-cut-ofi" relay "is operated including a talking'strand of the cord circuit, plugs in. which said cord circuit terminates, said plugs adapted to be inserted into the jacks, the selection of the path of talking current being controlled by the character of the jack into which the plug is inserted.

6. In a telephone system, the combination of a main station, a plurality of telephone lines leading to the mainstation, said telephone lines terminating at the main station in jacks of different character, a cord circuit at the main station including a plurality of paths for talking current, three-point plugs in which said cord circuit terminates, each point of each plug being connected to a talking conductor of the cord circuit and means controlled 'by the character of the jack in which the plug is inserted for selecting the path for the talking current through the cord. I

7. In a telephone system, the combination of a main station, a common battery line leading to the main station and terminatingin a jack thereat, a magneto'line leading to the main station and tern'iinating thereat in a jack of a character different from the jack in which the common battery'line terminates, substation equipment on the telephone lines, a cord circuit at the main sta.

tion including talking conductors, threepoint plugs for the cord circuits, each point of each plug connected to a talking conductor of the cord circuit, a plurality of supervisory signals in the cord circuit and means controlled by the character of the jack into which the plug is inserted for selecting the supervisory signals,

8. In a telephone system, the combination of a main station, a telephone line leading to the main stat-ion and provided with a jack at said main station, a'second telephone line leading to the main station and terminating in a jack thereat, means to cause tacts of the jack of the second line different from a similar contact on the jack of the first-named line, a cord circuit for connect ing the lines together including talking conductors, said cord circuit terminating in three-point plugs, each of the points of the plugs being connected to a talking conductor, a plurality of supervisory signals associated with a plug and means controlled by the potential of the jack for selecting the supervisory signal to be used.

9. In a telephone system, the'combinati on of a main station, a telephone line leading to the main station and terminating in a ing to the main station and terminating in a I jack thereat, a contact on said jack of the second telephone line similar to a contact on the jack of the first-named telephone line, substation equipment on the second telephone line, line signaling mechanism and a cut oil' relay therefor associated with the second telephone link, a cord circuit for connccting said telephone lines together ineluding talking strands, a circuit for the cut-elf relay including a portion of one of said talking strands, means for creating on a contact of the second line an electrical potential differing from the electrical potential on a similar contact of the first line, a plurality of si'ipervisory signals associated with one end of the cord circuit and means controlled by the potential of the contact of the line jacks for selecting the supervisory signal to be used.

10. In a telephone system, the combination of a main station, a plurality of telephone'lines of diverse character leading to the main station, connecting apparatus at the main station forconnecting the lines to gether including talking straiuls, a plurality of supervisory signals associated with one end of the connecting apparatus and means controlled over a portion of one of the talking strands by the character of the apparatus of the line to which such end of theconnecting apparatus is connected for selecting the supervisory signal to be employed.

11. In a telephone system, the combination of a mainstation, a telephone line leading to the main station and terminating in a -jack thereat, substation equipment on the telephone line, a second telephone line leading to the main station and terminating in a jack thereat, substation equipment on the, second telephone line, each of said jacks being provided with a contact similar to a contact on the other jack, a cord circuit for upon the above mentioned contact of the second line different from the electrical po tential on the above mentioned contact of the jack of the first-named line, said electromagnetic means being controlled by the elec trical potential of such contact.

12. In a telephone system, the combination of a main station, a telephone lineleading to the main station and terminating in a jack thereat, substation equipment on the telephone =1ine, a second telephone line lead- 1,151,:aes

ing to the main station and terminating in a jack thereat. substation equipment on the second telephone line, the jacks of the first and second line each being provided with a contact similar to the contact on the other jack, a cord circuit for connecting the lines together incuding talking strands and a plurality of paths for the talking current through the cord circuit, electromagnetic means for selecting the path for the talking current to be ployed, a circuit for said electromagnetic means including a talking strand and the aforesaid contact of the jack into which the line is to be inserted, means for creating an electrical potential on the aforesaid contact of the secondnamed line dillerent from the electrical potential on the similar contact of the tirst-nan1ed line, said relay being controlled by the electrical potential of such contact.

13. in a telephone system, the comhination of a main station, a plurality of telephone line apparatus of different character, each of said line apparatus including substation equipment, line conductors and mechanism attli e central station, connecting paratus at the central station including a plurality of talking conductors, a plurality of supervisory signals associated With one end of the connecting apparatus and means for selecting the supervisory signal to he employed, said means controlled over one of said talking conductors by the character of the line apparatus with which the connecting apparatus is associated.

14. In a telephone system, the combination of a main station, a plurality of telephone line apparatus associated with the main station, each telephone line apparatus including substation equipment, line conductors and mechanism at the central station, connecting apparatus for connecting the line apparatus together including a pinrality of talkin conductors, a plurality of supervisory signals associated with one end of the connecting apparatus and means for selecting the supervisory signal to be employed, said means being controlled over a talking conductor.

15. In a telephone system, the combina tion of a main station, a plurality of telephone line apparatus leading to the main station including substation equipment, line tion of a main station, a plurality of line 1 apparatus of Various characters associated,

with the main station, said line apparatus including substation equipment, line conductors and apparatus at the main station normally associated with the line conductors, connecting apparatus at the main station for connecting the lines together, including a plurality of talking conductors, providing a plurality of paths ior voice currents through the connecting apparatus, means for selecting the paths to be employed, said means being controlled over one of said talking conductors by the character of the line apparatus with which the connecting apparatus is associated.

In Witness whereof I have allixed my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses this 6th day of December, 1913.

HARVEY L. HARRES. Witnesses V1 C. S'rnono, R. M. ALLEN.

(lopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

ton, B. G. 

